The emir of Kano

Last year Lamido Sanusi was the governor of Nigeria’s central bank, and he wore pinstripe suits to work as he concerned himself with issues such as managing interest rates and keeping inflation under control.

Today, Sanusi is the emir of Kano and sports long flowing gowns and a white veil over his face, while his daily activities include reciting the Quran and blessing visitors who bow before his feathered slippers.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

The former central banker, pictured above riding a horse accompanied by his body guards, was made Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano in June.

A grandson of the 11th Emir of Kano and prince in the royal family, Sanusi was governor of the Central Bank from 2009 to 2013, when President Goodluck Jonathan suspended him after he exposed massive corruption at the state oil firm. Critics said Sanusi had no right to use his post as a pulpit from which to preach about corruption.

Sanusi, whose policies are credited with stabilising the naira and bringing inflation in Africa's second biggest economy to single digits, told Reuters in February his position in one of Kano's leading families had given him a psychological boost.

"If you're a prince you don't have fear of power. You are not intimidated by authority because you've grown up around it," he said.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Reuters visited Sanusi as he ruled as emir in his palace, an elaborately decorated place within the historic walled city.

Sanusi’s kingdom is under the authority of the Sokoto Caliphate, a relic of an Islamic empire created by Fulani Islamic scholar and jihadist Usman Dan Fodio.

At the turn of the 19th century it comprised northern Nigeria and parts of modern-day Niger, Benin and Cameroon, before British and French colonists carved these places up between themselves nearly a century later.

17 Jul 2014. ZARIA, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

In Zaria, a nearby emirate to Kano, the palace features a sumptuous gate adorned with colourful designs.

The British left the traditional Islamic kingdoms of the north intact, unlike the kingdoms and chieftancies of the largely Christian south over which they ruled more directly.

The result: although on paper they play a ceremonial role, emirs can wield great influence.

“The emirate system emanated from inside the people themselves, they are the ones who built this system based on their traditions and their beliefs,” he said.

Even though the throne of Kano has few formal constitutional powers, it has significant influence over the region's Muslims.

19 Jul 2014. ZARIA, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

The emirs also face great challenges, however.

Unrest has plagued northern Nigeria, going far beyond slogans such as “Death to America,” seen here scrawled across a wall.

An Islamist Boko Haram insurgency that is increasingly targeting Kano has not spared traditional rulers it regards as self-serving and not strict enough in their application of Sharia or Islamic law.

Boko Haram were suspected of being behind an attack on the convoy of Sanusi's predecessor, Ado Abdullahi Bayero, in January last year that killed four of his body guards.

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Slideshow

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Wall paintings are seen in the emir's palace in Kano, Nigeria.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Visitors wait to greet the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II at his palace during Ramadan.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Visitors pray while greeting the Muhammadu Sanusi II at the palace.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Servants speak to each other in the palace courtyard.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

A crier in the royal court poses for a picture.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

A servant stands in the palace courtyard.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

A wooden door with hand carvings is seen in the courtyard of the emir's palace.

15 Jul 2014. KADUNA, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Men sit after a daily Ramadan Tafsir session led by Sheik Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi (not seen) at the Grand Mosque in Kaduna, Nigeria.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Griots play music at the emir's palace during Ramadan.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II rides a horse, accompanied by his bodyguards, from the Grand Mosque to the palace after Friday prayers during Ramadan.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

People cheer as Muhammadu Sanusi II passes in the palace courtyard.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

The Emir listens to religious figures reciting a Hadith chapter at the palace.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Religious authorities Gwani Hadi (right) and Sheikh Dr. Qaribullah Nasir Kabara (middle), leader of the Qadiriyya movement, recite the Quran in Hausa and English during an evening of Ramadan Tafsir at the palace.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

The Emir listens to religious figures reading the Quran.

18 Jul 2014. KANO, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

A servant stands in the palace courtyard.

17 Jul 2014. ZARIA, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

Palace official Malam Bogobiri sits on a rug inside the Emir of Zaria's palace.

17 Jul 2014. ZARIA, NIGERIA. JOE PENNEY/Joe Penney

A police officer talks on his phone outside the Emir of Zaria's palace.